The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word MANTIS
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
M
A
N
T
I
S
More clues leading to the result MANTIS
- Creature — insect — found in motorway services principally
- They’re opposed to touching minute insect
- Someone devout ultimately exists for prayer
- This insect makes a chap sit up
- Insect is going after male – the female of which more deadly?
- Married people opposed to prayer?
- Insect, male with reclining pose
- Maiden is trapping one insect or another
- Insect against being consumed by completely heartless missus?
- A small prayer against being recorded in manuscript
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "This insect" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case this insect = mantis.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does MANTIS mean?
MANTIS noun- Any of various large insects of the order Mantodea that catch insects or other small animals with their powerful forelegs.
- A green colour, like that of many mantises.